Car Hire Mannheim
Mini guide to Mannheim
Mannheim has a successful collection of shopping areas, industrial and service centres and extensive recreational areas, all located in the centre of the Kurpfalz or Rhine Neckar region. From here, there are quick links to Ludwigshafen, Heidelberg, the Palatinate and Odenwald.
The symbol of the city of Mannheim is the Water Tower, or Wasserturm, which was constructed between 1886 and 1889 when the city decided to expand its municipal water supplies. Mannheim Castle boasts more than 400 rooms and 1,400 windows and serves as the main campus of Mannheim University. Inside the Castle Church (Schloßkirche), there is an altar designed by Peter Anton Verschaffelt.
Not far from Friedrichsplatz, the Church of Christ towers over the city, even over the Water Tower. This Protestant church was completed in 1911 and is the best representation of sacral architecture in Mannheim. The figures of the 12 Apostles crowned by a sculpture of St Michael, done in art nouveau style, adorn the circular dome of the church. The Concordia Church, whose construction began in 1685, is also worth a look.
Reiss Museum has a stunning collection of 17th century Dutch paintings, fine porcelain, beautiful writing desks, prehistoric artefacts, ethnology and natural history collections. Städtische Kunsthalle is home to 19th and 20th century paintings and an extensive sculpture collection.
Other sights worth visiting include: the State Museum of Technology and Labour; Paradeplatz Square and Stadthaus; Planken, the city’s elegant shopping street; the Planetarium, which hosts excellent presentations; and Luisenpark, a lovely 100-year-old public park in the centre of the city. The city centre is particularly attractive, with its elegant shops and many inviting cafés and restaurants.
Heidelberg lies a mere 20kms away from Mannheim. The old town, nestled on the banks of the river, is simply charming with all its tiny winding lanes and alleys. And above the old town rise the ruins of Heidelberg Castle, which still attract visitors from all over the world. Visit the Apothecary Museum to learn about the history of medicine, or view the superbly restored Friedrichsbau that attests to the glory of the Renaissance.
Take the A5, A6 and A67 autobahns to reach Mannheim. There are international airports in nearby Frankfurt and Stuttgart and a regional airport in Mannheim-Neuostheim. Mannheim is linked to efficient rail service from the rest of Europe.
